POLIX vs. VPMCX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

POLIX (Polen Growth Fund) and VPMCX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, POLIX returned 11.78%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for VPMCX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POLIX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for VPMCX.

Performance

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POLIX achieves a -10.21% return, which is significantly lower than VPMCX's 25.07% return. Over the past 10 years, POLIX has underperformed VPMCX with an annualized return of 11.78%, while VPMCX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.38% annualized return.

POLIX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.78%
• 6M: -11.57%
• YTD: -10.21%
• 1Y: -8.22%
• 3Y*: 7.98%
• 5Y*: 0.48%
• 10Y*: 11.78%

VPMCX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -0.21%
• 6M: 18.98%
• YTD: 25.07%
• 1Y: 48.84%
• 3Y*: 26.40%
• 5Y*: 15.53%
• 10Y*: 17.38%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POLIX Polen Growth Fund	-10.21%	3.87%	22.57%	39.17%	-38.36%	23.51%	33.25%	37.34%	7.74%	26.47%
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	25.07%	29.60%	13.23%	28.16%	-15.22%	21.64%	17.16%	27.78%	-1.99%	28.17%

Correlation

The correlation between POLIX and VPMCX is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2010	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between POLIX and VPMCX has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

POLIX vs. VPMCX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

POLIX

POLIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
POLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VPMCX

VPMCX Risk / Return Rank: 91
VPMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VPMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VPMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
VPMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	POLIX	VPMCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.55	2.62	-3.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.64	3.50	-4.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.47	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.40	4.11	-4.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.88	17.97	-18.85

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POLIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.55, which is lower than the VPMCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POLIX and VPMCX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POLIX drawdown since its inception was -42.84%, smaller than the maximum VPMCX drawdown of -50.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POLIX and VPMCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	POLIX	VPMCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.84%	-50.45%	+7.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.94%	-11.73%	-12.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.94%	-20.56%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.84%	-25.25%	-17.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.84%	-32.65%	-10.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.09%	-4.14%	-9.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-7.39%	+0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.65%	2.68%	+7.97%

Volatility

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) is 5.11%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) has a volatility of 8.70%. This indicates that POLIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POLIX	VPMCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	8.70%	-3.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.03%	15.63%	-1.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.40%	18.41%	-1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.06%	18.70%	+4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.89%	19.32%	+2.57%

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

POLIX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than VPMCX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

POLIX vs. VPMCX - Dividend Comparison

POLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 40.49%, more than VPMCX's 13.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POLIX Polen Growth Fund	40.49%	36.35%	10.47%	0.00%	10.54%	3.97%	1.25%	0.12%	2.77%	1.66%	0.01%	4.29%
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	13.08%	16.36%	6.62%	7.16%	9.85%	10.08%	9.74%	7.15%	8.32%	4.53%	5.05%	5.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POLIX and VPMCX in my portfolio?

POLIX and VPMCX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POLIX or VPMCX?

VPMCX has higher volatility (8.70%) compared to POLIX (5.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POLIX dropped -42.84% vs VPMCX's -50.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs -0.55), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.